History

Ser Joffrey became the Knight of the Gate in 124 AC and served his fourth cousin Jeyne Arryn, the Lady of the Eyrie, for ten years before her death in 134 AC. When she died, Lady Jeyne named Ser Joffrey as her heir in her last testament, although Ser Arnold Arryn was more closely related to her. However, as Ser Arnold had twice tried to depose her and had been imprisoned for it, he was disinherited from the line of Arryn succession.[1]

However, tensions brewed on Jeyne's death between those who supported Jeyne's chosen successor and those who supported Ser Arnold. Many lords flocked to Ser Arnold's son, Ser Eldric, insisting that the laws of inheritance could not be put aside by "the whim of a dying woman."[1] Additionally, Isembard Arryn, head of House Arryn of Gulltown, emerged as a third claimant to the Eyrie.[1]

One of the young king Aegon III Targaryen's regents, Ser Corwyn Corbray, ruled that Lady Jeyne's will must prevail and declared Ser Joffrey the rightful Lord of the Eyrie. Isembard Arryn and his sons were imprisoned, and Ser Eldric was executed, but Ser Arnold eluded the knight and fled to Runestone, where Ser Corwyn was struck down by a crossbowman once he drew Lady Forlorn.[1]

By the time the new regents were chosen by lot in 136 AC, Lord Alyn Velaryon and Lord Benjicot Blackwood had at last forced the supporters of Isembard and Arnold to do homage to Lord Joffrey as their liege.[1]